October 10th, 2011

Aside from the rain, this weekend was like any other. Monday had to follow suit. Oh, but that means this Monday is the same as last—one more 50 mile per hour caddy in the left lane, blissfully unaware that it’s clogging your intentions for better times. Go around it. Let’s get to the good things that this week has to offer.

MAGIC takes many forms. Supernatural magic is what our ancestors used in order to explain the world before they developed the scientific method. The ancient Egyptians explained the night by suggesting the goddess Nut swallowed the sun. The Vikings believed a rainbow was the gods’ bridge to earth. The Japanese used to explain earthquakes by conjuring a gigantic catfish who carried the world on his back—earthquakes occurred each time he flipped his tail. These are magical, extraordinary tales. But there is another kind of magic, and it lies in the exhilaration of discovering the real answers to these questions. It is the magic of reality-science. — richarddawkins.net

Ondaatje comes to Houston to read from his much anticipated new novel, The Cat’s Table, to be released in October 2011. The novel follows an unescorted 11-year-old boy on a ship bound from Ceylon to England, through unforgettable adventures with his two new best friends who join him in spying on the adults around them. Kirkus Reviews calls it “a graceful, closely observed novel . . . beautifully detailed, without a false note . . . Elegiac, mature and nostalgic—a fine evocation of childhood, and of days irresistibly past.

Cactus’ll be showing the Pearl Jam 20 DVD on the Cactus Stage. They’ll also have a prize pack that attendees can enter to win that includes: a PJ 20 CD Soundtrack, a PJ 20 Documentary Book, the Legacy Edition CD of either Vs. or Vitalogy, and PJ 20 Movie Poster. Reason enough for me.

Join us on October 22, when Houston’s most popular restaurants will battle for bragging rights in the YPC Chili Cook-Off. Participants will get to sample creations by chefs from BRC Gastropub, Community Bar, Eatsie Boys, Haven, Lola, Quattro, Shade, Zelko Bistro and more while raising money for Child Advocates‘ fight against child abuse. A huge thank you goes to all our sponsors, participants and most especially to Hughes Hangar for hosting this great new event. Watch for information on how to buy your tickets in advance, because this is a contest you won’t want to miss!